G. David Felt

@smk4565 Will help you out with the Truth as this was first published in 2014 when MB stated they were moving to 4 platforms by 2017. https://www.autoevolution.com/news/mercedes-benz-will-switch-to-just-four-car-platforms-78508.html To Quote: In a bid to reduce both the costs and the speed of development for new models, the three-pointed star car maker is hard at work in developing four different modular passenger car platforms which will cover their entire ever-expanding lineup. The MFA (Modular Front Architecture) platform currently consists of the A-Class, B-Class, CLA-Class and the recently-unveiled GLA-Class, with an upcoming CLA Shooting Brake to complement the rest of the models later this year. A not-yet-confirmed SLA Roadster might be part of the second generation of the MFA platform, which is set to arrive in 2017.The MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform debuted with the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205, featuring an extensive use of aluminium and a dramatic decrease in weight. It is presumably a lot more flexible than the fixed-wheelbase MFA, with Daimler's Thomas Weber being quoted as saying that over ten different vehicles could be manufactured on the MRA platform, as it allows engineers to differentiate them with different wheelbases and even body width. The MHA (Modular High Architecture) platform will be used on future large crossovers and SUVs from Mercedes-Benz, including the upcoming MLC crossover, which should be unveiled in 2015 and built alongside the ML, GL and C-Class W205 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The next generations of the ML and GL will also be manufactured on the MHA platform, with smaller crossover/SUVs to be built either on the MRA (upcoming GLK X205 and a GLC competitor for the BMW X4) or the MFA (the GLA X156) platforms. The MSA (Modular Sports Architecture) platform will also use a hefty amount of aluminium but also carbon fiber reinforced plastic to decrease weight even more. The future generation of the SLK might switch from using a modified C-Class platform to the MSA, along with the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster R232, but nothing is confirmed as of yet. Interesting is that motorauthority interviewed MB CEO and this is what he stated as an update: In future, Mercedes will only use two platforms, explained Bernhard. These will be the new Front Wheel Architecture (MFA), used for small cars and featured already in the third-generation A Class and B Class models, as well as a flexible Mercedes Rear Wheel Architecture (MRA) that will cover the rest of Mercedes’ lineup and will debut later this year in the next-generation S Class. Finally, Bernhard said that more production will take place outside of Europe. Currently, 90 percent of Mercedes’ lineup is built in Europe and almost of all its engines are. By 2020, only 50 percent of its lineup will be built in Europe and around 60 percent of its engines. Key areas for increased production will be the NAFTA region and China. On top of this, there will also be greater co-operation with partners such as Renault-Nissan. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1074706_mercedes-to-halve-its-number-of-platforms-by-2015 Yet this story came out before the one above so even MB is not really sure what they are doing. Euro Auto news states this which seems to be most current.: http://europe.autonews.com/article/20140910/ANE/140919998/mercedes-reorganizes-manufacturing-operations-to-reduce-costs Mercedes' platforms 1. MRA (rear-wheel-drive architecture)2. MFA (front-wheel-drive architecture)3. MHA (SUVs)4. MSA (sports cars)5. MPA (powertrains) So End Result is MB is using 4 platforms for their auto's and 1 Powertrain line across all of them so from the cheapest Toyota, Chevy Ford competition of an A - Class to the top of the line S-Class they all have the same engine in one way or another sharing parts and doing the same thing as everyone else. Looks like VW with their singular Modular platform to be used on all VW, Audi and Porsche will beat MB in Efficiency for Germany and Europe.

Correct your Error AGAIN on the Taxis, E-CLASS, Plus as has been proven with Pictures by Drew, The Crappy G-Wagon is built with mismatched screws, poor fit n finish and is not as amazing and godly as you proclaim. Your being blind to the truth that MB is just another Mass market maker now and no longer a luxury brand only. Moving the goalposts to fit your warped vision.

Agree, in todays market, they should at least get 50 miles or more for the base ev mode. Kinda how my attitude is against the Mercedes S class hybrid and Porsche where they state 30 miles or maybe it was 18 miles. Crazy stupid low range, why bother. Shows no effort and for expensive auto's a big disappointment.

Benchmark the update against the GM twins and as Scout stated keep the price low and they will come.

GMC Safari with Dutch Doors would be cool to have on CUV's.

Crazy Town forcing guy to sell auto collection. Some pretty cool cars including a Buick with a Straight 8 engine. http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/classic-cars/a-michigan-town-is-forcing-this-man-to-sell-20-old-cars-off-his-property-every-month/ar-AAs9snb?li=BBnb7Kz#image=AAs9snb_3|3 I think GM needs to bring back what was on the full size vans. Tilt up glass with Mini Stage Coach doors.

Interesting times to be watching the auto industry.

Yes they have published this and so did Tesla before revising it and approving the trailer hitches. I also suspect they know if can be used as a class 1 hitch otherwise why bother having the trailering / towing interface modules. Yes I am sure people will say using off the shelf what they already have built. Yet, proof has been done already by Tesla and more so GM has always overbuilt their auto's. I do not see this being any different. I would not be surprised to see that passage disappear in the future.

Agree, close CAMI and move the jobs to Lordstown. Solution solved.

Crazyness

Very cool Info, Good to Know, GM now needs to Step up to the plate. But I will say that the Midnight Editions are pretty cool looking. Love Metallic black. Much appreciate the response and confirmation. That I how I totally feel too. My parents raised me to respect the saying, When in Rome, Do as the Romans do. Always felt people coming here should respect the culture of America.

OK, Asking for your thoughts, no offense if you tell me I am full of it. I know this will tow the Political line but since this is the only Forum I am joined too and I really have no one else to ask other than the wife, I would like your guys input. So I live in one of the most liberal places in the US. Washington State, I am all for the American Dream, Melting pot and wide variety of heritages, foods, music, etc. Wife is Korean, both my son and daughter are full Korean, I spend my life around a mixing pot of people. Today at Taco Time, I ran over to get a quick lunch for my famly. I ordered, sat down in the waiting stools and behind me another woman ordered. Than a black man comes in, greeted by the senior lady taking orders and in a heavy accent he says, "Get me Man" The Lady says Excuse me and the guy repeats the same thing "Get me Man". The lady clearly states that only woman are working today, what can she get for him. He raises his voice in a commanding tone and says "Get me man infidel woman". At this point I get up, walk up to him and tell him to tone it down, if he wants something to eat, respectfully give his order to the woman. There are no men working. He looks at me and in some foreign language starts to yell at me. I raise my voice to shut him up as he clearly understands english. I tell him if he cannot respect woman as an equal here in the US and will not work with them or acknowledge them he needs to go home to his original country from where he came. This just pissed me off that he would 1) treat a woman the way he did. 2) He comes to our country and expects it to be the way it is from where he came from. 3) Try's to act like I should know his language. He took a step towards me and I just glared down at him and did not budge. He finally left. The counter lady thanked me, as did a couple other people who came in to eat and was waiting to order. One hippie looking woman just glared at me and shook her head leaving me with the impression that I was wrong. The guy went out, got into his washington licensed car and took off, running over the curb and almost hitting a car coming out of the drive through and then ran over the curb again getting onto the main street 196th and almost hit another car before gunning it and flying down the road. I am all for accepting people from around the world into our country, but why is it so hard for some to assimilate into our culture and integrate their culture into ours? Why do we not require learning to read, write and speak english before giving a drivers license to a person. This is a privilege earned, not a write. Why do some just not get it that regardless of your sex, orientation, beliefs, etc. We are all equal, all with various different skills that give us a wonderful diversity of life and creativity. Sorry for the rant, but I just needed to share this experience as I have never seen this before here and it just dumbstruck me. Thank you, David

Looks like a Trax Just Ford Badged. Pretty cool, I totally agree the black out trim is sweet.

Awesome Read, Thanks for seeing and posting it @balthazar

I agree, I love CUE and while it was slow to respond in the early days, it is now very responsive and awesome. Course always plenty of room to improve!

Have to say it is a nice CUV. I actually like the simplistic design of the dash. Clean and functional compared to some that tried to do this. I wonder about the R design label I see and there are other things I wonder about. Be interesting to read about the details come Sept 21st. I see NO VALUE in a Turbo 3 cylinder Engine.

@ccap41 Totally agree with you that the Continental is far superior than the MKS even with the interior sizing issue I ran into. For most people in the Average 5'8" size department and even is they are fuller full figures the continental will be a comfortable ride.

Over all like the looks of the Car, I see the connection to BMW but also in the headlights the connection to Mercedes. Hate the dash and that stand up nav screen. Honestly they failed on bringing out a decent modern luxury dash to go with those seats.

have to say the Mocha Brown interiors are warm, inviting and lovely to me.

Those seats are also something I have noticed on ALL OEM's from Germany to the US and especially Asian rim. Flat, not very comfortable and very disappointing for the amount of features they state. My pet peeve with the current Escalade is I get one as a loaner every time I take mine in for service and where Mine is a very comfortable road trip SUV, the newest ones are not. I love the look, driving characteristics and room in the current Escalade, but the seats are short distance driving comfort only. Very sad!

Why I dumped FIOS TV and have only FIOS 100MB Internet at my house. Far Cheaper to pay for Hulu and NetFlix and with my VUDU for movies, I went from $300 a month for HD everything to $99 a month and that includes the cost of the commercial free Hulu and Commercial Free NetFlix. I also purchased and put up the following HD antenna: http://www.antennadeals.com/HD8008.html Got me 70 local HD stations so I do not have to pay for local news and broadcasts anymore. Covers me when I want news and when the son visits and wants to watch Football.

Agree, while there are plenty of Nissan dealerships, I rarely see an old frontier let alone a new one. See plenty of CUV / SUVs.

I say this is more a matter of who bought the race series and as such there will never be anyone else who will win the Mercedes F1 series but MB. So why would you want to spend millions in a race owned by one company that will always win no matter what others do.

Some posts just go over my head, clearly some inside knowledge that I am fine not knowing.

Have to agree that there is not much on TV worth watching anymore. Those into reality TV need to get a life of their own, off the couch and get that body moving. Movies are the only thing worth watching.